GUESS WHAT?!?!
I’m finally doing it, folks! I signed up for the Spring One Room Challenge and I’m so excited to get started! The event starts next week and I’m both excited and nervous. But tackling a renovation on a timeline is fun, right?
If you’re scratching your head wondering what the One Room Challenge is let me fill ya in below.
Spring One Room Challenge 2021
What is the One Room Challenge?
The One Room Challenge, lovingly referred to as ORC by those that have participated or followed along since it began in 2011, is a bi-annual event that happens every year in the spring and fall.
Running 6 weeks long, and increased to 8 when the pandemic hit, it’s a chance for DIYers, home bloggers, and design enthusiasts to come together, tackle one room of their choice, and support each other while doing it.
I’ve been following along with this event since 2014 and always find it so inspiring. The talent is CRAZY GOOD between the featured designers and those who sign up as guest participants. It’s such an exciting and beautiful time on Instagram!
I’ve been wanting to participate for the last couple of years but never really got the nerve to sign up. I always found an excuse or reason why it was bad timing for us. I was planning on jumping on board last year but got nervous. I lost my job in April and spending any money that wasn’t necessary seemed like a bad idea.
Fast forward a year and we’ve changed our mindset a bit. We’ve slowly been working on a few small projects here and there and I thought why not finally align with the event. I feel good about the room we chose and I know Mike is super excited to finally tackle this space!
So, which room did we pick?
There are quite a few projects in our home that I would like to tackle and picking one was hard. We’ve been in our home for 11 years now. I feel like we’ve made some progress but still have a ways to go.
Our biggest renovation that we tackled on our own was our main bath on the second floor. We completely renovated the space 5 years ago and I shared the whole process here on the blog.
My first choice was to update one of our guest bedrooms. I’ve been working on the design since last fall’s ORC event but again decided the timing wasn’t right. I have a pretty clear vision for this room and I was excited to get to work. Getting it ready for the time when we would have family and guests again in our home.
But, the hubby threw a wrench into my plans, like he likes to do, and started talking about our half bath. When he gets something in his head it’s usually easier to jump on board than try to redirect him.
I’m constantly having to redirect and ask him for patience as we work through this house. Whereas I like to plan and set a start and (rough) end date for our projects, Mike operates completely differently. The desire to tackle a new project usually comes without warning and it takes off FAST.
He tends to get the urge to start a new project and jumps straight into demo. Without us having a plan for what to do after. God love him and his enthusiasm, and I jump at it when I can, but lord, it’s a bit stressful. His main objective and focus is always on the demo and seeing that immediate progress. The details and the work that comes next he’s less excited for.
As I began making plans to redesign our guest bedroom, someone had a different idea. So, for the Spring 2021 One Room Challenge we are renovating our HALF BATH. Located on the first floor of our house, it is bathroom number 2 of only 2 in our home.
Why I’m still nervous to participate in this event
Even though I’m super excited to finally renovate our outdated half bath I’m still nervous about participating in this event.
I mean let’s face it, we aren’t exactly great about finishing projects in a reasonable amount of time over here. If you’ve been following along with me for a bit now you’re most likely nodding your head in agreement.
We made a plan last fall to add some character to our stairway and upstairs hallway and are still trying to work this one out. Lots of progress has been made but we’re taking our sweet time conceptualizing and building the hidden linen closet feature.
In addition to this, I have a secret to share with you. While I love to design and envision the final project, I don’t love the process of renovating. I’m also typically not someone who likes to DIY. It’s usually something I do out of necessity because I’ve fallen in love with something out of budget and need to get creative.
With our main bath renovation a few years ago, the tables were turned and MIke was job hunting. Using the time to also work on our bathroom. He enjoys taking the lead on projects like that and doing the research to get it right. Using me as his assistant when needed.
This time around it makes sense for me to learn and try to tackle some of this on my own. Easing some of the burden on him. I’m sure the majority of the work will still happen on the weekends. I’m hoping though that I can manage some of the smaller projects on my own during the week.
Renovating our half bath for the ORC
The Spring One Room Challenge officially kicks off next week on Wednesday, May 5th. The featured designers will be sharing the spaces they’ll be renovating, while guest participants follow on Thursdays.
My weekly posts that come out on Fridays will be shifting for the next 8 weeks to align with this. I hope you join me each week to cheer us on and follow along with our progress in the space.
And, any prayers and well wishes you want to send our way would be much appreciated!
For more inspiration and to follow along with the other designers and cheer them on, head to the One Room Challenge blog for all the links!
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